Designer to Take Helm at Prada-Owned Brand Starting July 1
Pieter Mulier has been appointed Creative Director of Versace, effective July 1, marking a new phase for the Italian fashion house under its new ownership by Prada Group. Mulier will report directly to Executive Chairman Lorenzo Bertelli. His first runway show for Versace is expected in September.
The announcement comes just days after Alaïa confirmed Mulier’s exit following the presentation of its Summer-Fall 2026 collection in March. Mulier, who has led Alaïa since 2021, brought renewed energy to the brand through sculptural silhouettes and a strong accessories program. Under his direction, Alaïa doubled in size and became one of the notable growth contributors within its parent company’s portfolio.
“At Alaïa, Mulier developed a directional and distinctive style for the brand, focusing on craft, quality and timelessness,” the company said. Among his widely adopted designs were the Teckel handbag and mesh ballerina shoes, which helped attract a younger audience while maintaining the loyalty of long-standing customers.
Mulier’s move to Versace ends a brief and ultimately transitional phase for the house, which saw Dario Vitale exit in December following a one-season tenure. Vitale, who had previously worked at Miu Miu, had presented a colorful debut that drew mixed reactions. No successor was announced at the time of his departure.
The Prada Group acquired Versace from Capri Holdings in a €1.25 billion transaction. The acquisition was paired with a €250 million investment plan aimed at repositioning the house upmarket, reducing outlet distribution, and scaling back on discounting. Mulier is expected to play a central role in that repositioning.
“When we considered the Versace acquisition, we identified Pieter Mulier as the right person for the brand,” said Bertelli. “We believe that he can truly unlock Versace’s full potential and that he will be able to engage in a fruitful dialogue with the brand’s strong legacy.”
Mulier’s career began under Raf Simons at the designer’s namesake menswear label. Over the next two decades, he became a key collaborator across several houses, including Jil Sander, Dior, and Calvin Klein, where he ultimately led the design teams for ready-to-wear and accessories under Simons’ creative leadership.
His longstanding association with Simons and frequent attendance at Prada shows in Milan is said to have strengthened ties with the Prada Group. Insiders suggest the company had been pursuing Mulier for the role even before finalizing its deal for Versace.
Mulier joins the house during a period of transition. Donatella Versace stepped down as creative director last year after nearly 30 years, retaining a symbolic role as brand ambassador. The company has not disclosed whether she or her daughter Allegra will hold operational titles moving forward.
Versace’s new leadership aims to draw inspiration from the design language established by Gianni and Donatella Versace, reasserting the house’s heritage after several years of creative fluctuation. Bertelli is said to be focused on strengthening the brand’s cultural relevance and commercial positioning without altering its core identity.
Mulier will now be responsible for translating that vision into a comprehensive creative strategy, overseeing all design aspects of the house across ready-to-wear, accessories, and runway presentations.
Further details regarding his debut collection are expected in the coming months.